David Gantar
Canadian soccer referee
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David Gantar (born June 27, 1975) is a Canadian soccer referee for PRO from Edmonton, Alberta.[1] He has been a Canadian National Referee since 2004, and became a FIFA Referee in 2011. Gantar had a highly successful first year of international duty, officiating at three international tournaments — including one major tournament — and in the CONCACAF Champions League and 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification.[2]
|
Gantar before a 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup match at MetLife Stadium | |||
| Full name | David John Gantar | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
June 27, 1975 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | ||
| Other occupation | CFO and vice president of Stanley Construction Ltd. | ||
| Domestic | |||
| Years | League | Role | |
| 2015-2021 | Major League Soccer | Referee | |
| 2019–2021 | Canadian Premier League | Referee | |
| International | |||
| Years | League | Role | |
| 2011–2021 | FIFA listed | Referee | |
Early life
Career
Gantar had a successful first year as a FIFA referee, attending three international tournaments. His year included appointment to the Gold Cup (the continental championship) ahead of fellow Canadian FIFA Referee Paul Ward. The appointment came despite Ward's seniority and experience; coupled with Gantar's inclusion on CONCACAF's Elite Referee List.[4]
He was the match referee for international friendlies involving the Brazil national team twice in 2013 and 2014, and Colombia twice in 2014. Brazil and Colombia are among the most prominent international sides he officiated.[5][6][7]
On April 27, 2019, Gantar was the match official for the inaugural match of the Canadian Premier League.
Gantar retired following the 2021 season. His final match was the 2021 Canadian Championship Final.[8]
His unofficial final refereeing appearance took place on June 4, 2022, at John Barnett School in the Kilkenny neighbourhood of Edmonton, Alberta—the same field where he had officiated his first match and where he grew up.[9][10]
Off the field
Gantar has an MBA from the University of Alberta and is the CFO and vice president of Stanley Construction Ltd.[11]
He is a founding member of the Grande Prairie Soccer Referees Association and the Grande Prairie Men's League.[12]
Tournament statistics
| Tournament | Date | Venue | Round | Team 1 | Result | Team 2 |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CONCACAF U-20 Championship[13] | March 29 |  Estadio Mateo Flores, Guatemala City | Group Stage |  Suriname | 0 – 4 |  United States | 2 | 1 |
| CONCACAF U-20 Championship | April 8 | Estadio Mateo Flores, Guatemala City | Semi-Final |  Costa Rica | 2 – 1 | Guatemala | 5 | 0 |
| CONCACAF Gold Cup[14] | June 10 | FIU Stadium, Miami | Group Stage |  Grenada | 1 – 7 |  Honduras | 1 | 0 |
| Pan American Games[15] | October 21 |  Estadio Omnilife, Guadalajara | Group Stage | Costa Rica | 0 – 3 |  Argentina | 5 | 0 |
| Pan American Games[16] | October 23 | Estadio Omnilife, Guadalajara | Group Stage |  Trinidad and Tobago | 1 – 1 |  Ecuador | 6 | 0 |
Card statistics
| Season | G | Tot |
PG |
Tot |
PG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 | 7 | 2.33 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | 17 | 68 | 4 | 5 | 0.29 |
| 2012 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
Statistics for all competitions, including domestic, CONCACAF and international friendlies/tournaments.
